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Meet Dr. Larian

Dr. Babak Larian, the Chairman and Director of the CENTER for Advanced Parotid Surgery in Los Angeles, is a highly experienced and reputable board-certified surgeon... Read more >

Out Of Town Patients

Dr. Babak Larian is a world-renowned parotid gland surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, who regularly treats patients from all over the country. Fortunately, Beverly Hills has a lot to offer our out-of-town patients.

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Do Salivary Stones Require Surgery?
Salivary gland stones, or sialolithiasis, are small calcium deposits that block the flow of saliva, which if not removed can lead to swelling of the salivary gland, inflammation, infection, Read more >

Why a Parotid Tumor Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Many people have experienced swollen glands at some point in their lives. However, if you have a lump close to your ear that lingers for more than a couple weeks, Read more >

How Expert Surgeons Perform Parotid Reconstruction
If your parotid gland function has been impaired for any reason, such as a parotid tumor, you may need surgery. Read more >

Parotid Gland Cancer

Cancer in the salivary glands is rare, but when it does occur it most often starts in the parotid glands. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands, located in front of the ears on either side of the face. When tumors occur in the parotid glands, they are removed in a procedure called a parotidectomy. Dr. Babak Larian and his team at the CENTER for Advanced Parotid Surgery are experts at removing parotid gland cancer through minimally invasive surgery.

Diagnosing Parotid Cancer

There are several risk factors that can increase one’s chance of developing salivary gland cancer. Age, exposure to radiation of the head and neck can all increase one’s odds of developing parotid cancer.

Sometimes patients with parotid cancer do not experience symptoms; rather the cancer is discovered during a physical or dental exam. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

Fluid draining from ear

Facial pain

Lump in area

Facial paralysis

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Diagnosing parotid cancer involves several types of exams and imaging tests. The doctor will usually begin with a physical exam of the head and neck. If a tumor is suspected or a lump is found during the physical examination, the doctor will likely order an imaging test. MRI is the imaging study of choice.

If an imaging test does reveal a salivary gland tumor, a fine needle aspiration biopsy will be performed. This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue from the tumor using a very fine needle. The sample will then be reviewed by a pathologist to determine whether or not the cells are cancerous.

Treating Parotid Gland Cancer

Anyone with parotid gland cancer should seek treatment from a salivary gland specialist. At the CENTER for Advanced Parotid Surgery in Los Angeles, Dr. Babak Larian specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Using a small incision and endoscopic technology, Dr. Larian can remove the cancerous parotid gland. He always performs the micro-parotidectomy procedure with world-renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS. This partnership ensures that the facial nerve is not harmed during parotid removal and that the resulting scar is minimal. Not all types of cancers are amenable to a minimally invasive procedure; at the time of consultation Dr. Larian will asses the best treatment course.

Contact the CENTER for a Parotid Gland Consultation Today!

If you have a salivary gland tumor, or think you may have a parotid gland problem, it is crucial to seek treatment from an expert. When it comes to diagnosing parotid cancer, and treating the cancer with minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Larian and his team offer top-notch care. To schedule a consultation with the parotid gland experts, call the CENTER for Advanced Parotid Surgery in Los Angeles at (310) 461-0300 today!

The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician's judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions.

DISCLAIMER: Content on this website is not intended to serve as medical advice and should not be construed as such. Please see a medical professional in order to obtain specific advice for your medical conditions.